Water in Oil Storage Tanks
An owner's guide to preventing, or measuring & removing oil tank water contamination

OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION - CONTENTS: Why is water in an oil tank a problem? How water gets into an oil storage tank - assessing the level of water in an oil tank: water finder paste, instruments, visual inspection

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Water accumulation in an oil tank from flooding or from leaks into the oil storage tank:

This article series explains the problems caused by water accumulation in oil tanks, how water gets into the oil tank, how to measure water in the oil tank, how to remove water from oil storage tanks regardless of whether the oil tank is indoors, outdoors above ground, or buried, and how to prevent water from getting into an oil storage tank.

We explain how to test for or visually check for water in a buried or above-ground oil storage tank, and how to get water out of an oil tank. Extensive free un-biased oil storage tank inspection and testing advice for property buyers and owners is provided at this website.

Testing for and Removing Water Contamination from Oil Storage Tanks

What problems are caused by the presence of water in heating oil or heating oil tanks?

According to R.W. Beckett, a major manufacturer of heating oil burners and related equipment, water in the heating oil tank or piping system causes the following "nuisance service problems" problems [edited, paraphrased, amplified - Ed.]:

Contributing to heating oil filter blockage, erratic oil burner operation, oil burner nozzle clogging, and safety lockout of the oil burner, leading to loss of heat and related building damage such as frozen pipes, water damage, mold contamination damage

Beckett did not include but we add: oil storage tank corrosion, perforation, and leakage, potentially leading to costly oil tank replacement and environmental damage cleanup costs.

Testing an oil tank for for water contamination in an oil tank (above ground oil tanks whether inside or outdoors, or buried oil tanks)
is simple and can be done by any service
person or even a homeowner.

Oil Tank testing methods for oil leaks vary in risk to the tank, cost, invasiveness,
length of time to complete, and more.

Since water in a heating oil tank can lead to loss of heat and related building damage
we want to know if in-tank water is a problem at a given property. There are several
steps and test methods for finding water in an oil tank and for determining how much
of a problem it is.

How Does Water Get Inside a Buried Heating Oil Storage Tank

Water enters a buried or above ground tank by condensation: as temperatures vary moisture-containing air may be drawn into and then out
of an oil tank.

Air leaves the tank as oil is consumed; air enters and leaves the oil tank through the oil tank vent. Moist air entering the tank
from outside can bring water which, on entering the cooler tank interior, condenses out of vapor form into water droplets which can, over time
accumulate.

Water enters a tank filler pipe: from roof spillage onto the tank or filler top (particularly and obviously if the filler cap is left off),
or from ground or surface runoff entering the oil storage tank (particularly and obviously if the filler cap is near, at, or below ground surface level).

Leaving off an outside oil tank filler cap for a few days is not itself a likely source of a problem unless the filler
was exposed to heavy rain, roof runoff spillage onto the open filler pipe, or surface runoff entering the tank
(such as for a filler pipe flush with the ground).

Water leaks into a buried oil tank from an actual tank perforation that admits ground water, or from a bad plumbing fitting on the tank. When oil levels in the tank is below an oil tank perforation or a leak in oil tank piping, it is possible for ground water to leak into a buried oil tank just heating oil may leak out of the oil tank when it is filled above the perforation or leak point.

Water leaks into the buried oil tank from a faulty filler cap gasket around the oil tank filler pipe plug, especially at installations whose oil tank filler pipe is located in a box whose top is flush with the ground surface. Rainwater or snow-melt water then enter the oil storage tank.

Water leaks into the buried oil tank from an oil tank vent pipe that is missing a cap to protect against rainwater or roof runoff spillage into the tank, especially if the vent (or filler pipe) are located under the roof's drip-line.

Water leaks into a buried oil storage tank from leaky oil piping fittings. R.W. Beckett recommends that [Quoting]
All pipe fittings must be tightened securely and have the threads sealed with a resilient compound that can endure the environmental variables in temperature. Any loose or poorly sealed [oil tank fuel piping, fill, or vent piping] joints can permit ground water to infiltrate the [oil] storage tank.

Water is delivered to the oil tank along with the heating oil fuel: This is not common, but it is possible to get a delivery of "bad" heating oil that is water contaminated,
especially if the oil truck happens to fill-up at the oil storage depot when an oil barge is
unloading oil since during that operation water which is normally kept in the bottom of oil depot
storage tanks may be stirred-up.

Most oil companies know to avoid this problem and some also have water
filters installed at their oil trucks. No oil company is going to admit that they picked up and delivered
water-contaminated oil to your home so don't waste time asking them if they are guilty of this crime.

R.W. Beckett referred to this [quoting] "possible but rare contributor due to storage and maintenance practices in the [heating oil] distribution system. Large bulk [oil storage] tanks must be checked for condensation accumulation and bled periodically.

If this is not done conscientiously, then it is possible for water to be drawn out with the oil when the stocks are extremely low or when the bulk storage is filled and the water is forced into temporary suspension. Fortunately, our industry has implemented effective maintenance measures and this has been virtually eliminated.

However, if water and sludge are found in a tank that does not have a leak, then it must be thoroughly pumped out, cleaned, and treated with a chemical additive that disperses water, sludge and neutralizes bacterial growth."

How Does Water Enter an Above-Ground Oil Storage Tank

Sources of water entry into above ground oil storage tanks are similar to the underground oil tank water leak sources listed just above.[Paraphrased, edited, and expanded from R.W. Beckett]:

Water may enter an above-ground oil storage tank from a fill pipe that is not properly capped, sealed, and located out of the roof edge drip line.

Our photo (left) of an outdoor oil storage tank shows that the oil tank vent is not protected against water entry, and worse, though you can't see it in this closeup photo), this outdoor oil tank was located close to the building (the usual practice) placing it right under the drip line of the roof.

Whenever gutters overflowed (which is common), water splashing on the oil tank to was at risk of entering the tank through this vent pipe.

Water may enter an above-ground oil storage tank from a vent pipe that is not capped, shielded from water entry, and located away from roof edges. Note that water spilling on to the top of an outdoor oil storage tank can splash-up and enter the oil tank through the vent pipe even if the pipe has a rain cap installed.

Outdoor above-ground oil storage tank water condensation occurs when a partially-filled oil tank is exposed to variations in outdoor temperature. Oil in the tank and the tank steel itself are warmed by sunlight and higher daytime temperatures.

At higher temperatures both air inside the free area in the oil storage tank and the oil itself expand in volume, pushing air out of the oil storage tank.

As temperatures fall after sundown or in night time temperatures, both air and oil volume in the oil tank are reduced in volume. This volume reduction of air and oil inside the oil tank will draw night-time air into the oil tank through the oil tank vent pipe opening. When that incoming air is high in moisture, moisture will condense on the oil tank interior walls, accumulating on the oil tank bottom (water is heavier than oil).

When the quantity of water on the oil tank bottom is great enough to reach the oil supply piping (for oil tanks whose piping is attached through the oil tank top), or when it reaches an oil supply line outlet at the tank bottom (for oil tanks piped off of the tank bottom), water enters the heating system oil burner, leading to lockout or loss of heat.

Steps to Reduce the Chances of Water Entering an Outdoor Above-Ground Oil Storage Tank

[Paraphrased, edited, and expanded from R.W. Beckett and other sources]:

Install properly sealed fill and vent pipes on the oil storage tank, and avoid locating the tank where roof runoff spills onto the tank or its piping.

Paint the above-ground outdoor oil storage tank silver (aluminum paint) to reflect sunlight (and heat), or locate the tank in a shaded area if possible. If you consider that in freezing climates we recommend constructing a heated enclosure around an outside oil storage tank to avoid oil tank waxing or water freezing and loss of heat, that step will also reduce the problem of oil tank water accumulation due to condensation.

Install the oil tank so that the oil tank fill pipe end is sloped downwards. This will cause water entering at the fill pipe to pool right below the filler cap where it can be observed and pumped out.

For oil tanks drawing oil from the oil tank bottom, install a 3" vertical riser (soldering a 3" x 1/2" O.D. copper tube) onto the oil tank side of the oil tank bottom fitting so that oil is always drawn off from 3" above the tank bottom, thus above water that may be accumulated on the oil tank bottom (as long as the water has accumulated to a level less than 3" this works).

Install a water tank drain port on the lower end of the above-ground oil storage tank. [Properly installed a aboveground oil tank is installed with a few inches of slope away from the tank bottom outlet fitting so that water and sludge accumulate first away from the oil supply piping connection point. Even if the oil piping is installed through the tank top fittings (a better, more water and sludge-resistant approach), an oil tank bottom drain can still be used to check for and remove water accumulated on the oil tank bottom.

Install the oil supply and return piping through oil tank top fittings rather than at the oil tank bottom fittings.

A 3/8" or 1/2" diameter compression fitting is installed in a special dual-port oil tank top fitting that permits the copper oil supply and return piping to be routed through the tank top fitting, extending continuously (without potentially leaky joints) to 3" above the oil tank bottom. R.W. Beckett's illustration shows that the oil pickup and return tubing are also bent at an angle away from one another so that the oil pick-up line does not pick up sludge or air bubbles that are caused by excess oil returning to the oil tank through the oil return line.

Keep the heating oil tank filled during warm weather. By minimizing the air space above oil in the oil storage tank you will reduce the oil tank air "exhale" as the oil tank warms, and "inhale" as the oil tank cools, thus reducing outside air and moisture being drawn into the oil tank.

How to Measure the Level of Water Contamination in an Oil Tank

Oil storage tanks would ideally be tested for water accumulation at every oil delivery, but as that simply is not going to happen, you should ask your oil company to assess the amount of water in the oil tank at least once a year by using one of the methods discussed at OIL TANK WATER DETECTION where we provide details about measuring the level of water contamination in heating oil tanks. Excerpts are below.

A simple method that can be used on oil storage tanks whose fill pipe is located directly above the tank is to insert a dipstick into the oil tank after coating the dipstick end with a water-finding paste. (photo at left).

A similar test for oil tanks whose piping does not permit use of a dipstick makes use of a string and weight and water finding paste.

Where to Buy Oil Tank Water Finding Paste or Water Indicating Pastes

Water finder paste & dipstick for use in heating oil tanks: using a water finder paste on the end of a stick.
Water indicating paste also called water finding paste or water finder paste, is coated over the bottom few inches of an oil tank probing stick or onto a string or flexible tape which can be inserted into an oil tank. The water indicating paste changes color (typically white to red, green to red,or pink to white)
to indicate the depth of water in the oil tank.

You can ask your oil company to handle this if you don't have a stick, string, or tape or tools to open an access plug on the top of your oil tank.
This method works best if the oil filler pipe is a straight shot down into the oil tank, If there is not sufficient
overhead room to insert the long stick, such as with outdoor and buried oil tanks you'll need to use a string or tape which you coat with the water indicating paste.

Here is a list of water and oil indicating pastes that will detect water in home heating oil tanks whether they are buried or above ground, outside, or indoor tanks:

Eastern Water Indicating Paste (in a tube, turns red in presence of water)

McCabe Gauging Paste - a water level indicating paste, turns from green to red when immersed in water for 30 seconds or more. McCabe also makes a gasoline indicating paste which is purple and shows a line where gasoline is encountered.

Here are some online sources where you can purchase these products (we have no financial relationship with any product or service discussed at our website:

Other Methods for Detecting Water Contamination in a Heating Oil Tank

Other water sensing products: Other special products are available such as a sensor connected to a
string or wire that can be dropped into an oil tank to check for water contamination. Water alarm devices
are also available.

Visual Check of the oil filter at the oil burner: inspecting in the oil filter at the heating equipment can indicate a history of
water passing from the oil tank towards the oil burner. Water in the oil filter, or rust therein, would be an
indicator of water passing through the system.

As we discuss at OIL TANK LEAK TEST METHODS, A neat way to look for a history of water in the heating oil storage tank is to check the
oil filter canister itself. Many oil burners are protected by a heating oil filter
installed either at the tank or at the oil burner. (Every heating boiler burning oil should have one of these filters installed to protect the equipment.)

If the oil tank has a high level of water, especially if the oil lines run to the oil burner from
the bottom of the oil tank, some of that water will have been making its way to
the oil burner where, en route, it is (usually) trapped in the oil filter. If you open an oil
filter container and see that its metal parts are rusted, or that there is a lot of rusty sludge
in the bottom of the filter holding canister, the oil tank needs to be checked further for water

Ask your oil company service technician to check the oil filter for evidence of water or rust,
or if you've had heat outages ask if water in the oil could be a contributor or cause.

Foam Formation in Wet Heating Oil

Reader Question: foam formed when new oil was put into tank that caused it to indicate full and stop pumping

14 Feb 2015 Anonymous said:
I asked the oil man to fill my tank that read 1/8 tank. When he came he pumped 110 gal and it indicated full to delivery man. The guage read 1/2. They told me that foam formed when new oil was put into tank that caused it to indicate full and stop pumping. I've never heard of such a thing! Any comment?

Reply:

Anon:

What you describe is not something I've come across but it has been described as an effect that can occur if there is water contamination in the oil storage tank; during delivery the incoming oil, delivered fast and under pressure, can stir up water and form foam - this can also clog up the heating oil piping, filter, burner, and lead to loss of heat.

I'd ask the oil company to check oil tank water level, remove excess water, and go from there.

I'd also check - if you can - about just what was being delivered to you - if your oil tank didn't have much water in it before then water could have come in a bad delivery. I've seen this happen if the oil truck is filled from a depot tank that is low on oil, has water in that tank bottom (which is normal) and is itself stirred by a depot delivery while the oil truck is filling.

Experts have written about this, describing the formation of a water-oil emulsion and problems that it causes in heating oil production and usage;
see in parcitular Maslennikov (1969)

Ali, M. F., and M. H. Alqam. "The role of asphaltenes, resins and other solids in the stabilization of water in oil emulsions and its effects on oil production in Saudi oil fields." Fuel 79, no. 11 (2000): 1309-1316.

Eow, John S., and Mojtaba Ghadiri. "Electrostatic enhancement of coalescence of water droplets in oil: a review of the technology." Chemical Engineering Journal 85, no. 2 (2002): 357-368.

How to Remove Unwanted Water from an Oil Tank

Articles at this website describe what to ask about home heating oil storage tanks, what oil tank leak tests to order if you are buying or selling a home with an oil tank, how to prevent loss of heat due to oil tank sludge or water contamination,
how to interpret oil tank testing results,
what to do if there is a buried fuel or petroleum storage tank at a property, what to do if there is or was a leaky oil storage tank or
petroleum storage tank, and how to
reduce the chances of an oil leak or oil spill in the future.

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